OUR WORK

The American public schools’ historical mission is to serve children from all walks of life, to lower the barriers raised by inequities in wealth and privilege, and to promote a more just and equal society through education. However, social inequality is at the highest we have seen in over a century, while middle and working-class families struggle to get by. It’s true nationwide and in our own backyard.

For example, 43% of Lake Placid Central School District students participate in economic assistance programs. Of these economically disadvantaged students, only:

  • 17% of students met proficiency level in English Language Arts

  • 20% were proficient in mathematics

  • 12% met requirements for Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation

How do we repair it?

The Educational Opportunity Fund is striving to address the opportunity gap impacting students in the district by providing economic, social, and cultural capital for all of our students. Take a look below at some of the ways we are working to address that gap.

  • Teacher Grants

    Each year teachers are encouraged to apply for grants to assist their classrooms, schools, and communities. We give out thousands of dollars each year to a variety of teacher initiatives from robotics programs, alternate seating, or musical instruments.

    LPCSD music teacher, Kathy Briggs, sought to bring excitement, stimulation and new musical experiencesto the classroom. Ms. Briggs applied for a grant to purchase a class set of ukuleles to be used by 5th graders. Ukuleles are easier to learn and less expensive than guitars and they enable students to “sound good” right away. Sounds good to us!

  • Reading Programs and Free Books

    The EdOpFund realizes that kids without access to books struggle to develop strong verbal skills. A Kindergarten weekly reading program and a district wide summer program provide free books to every elementary, middle, and high school student to encourage reading. Reading encourages brain development, language development, and opens the door to new places, new people, and new ideas!

  • 5th Grade Field Trip

    We love providing new opportunities for students. Using EdOpFunds, 5th graders travel each year to Albany to tour the capital, visit the NYS Museum, and see a theatrical production at Proctor's Theater! For many of the students it is the first time visiting a museum, seeing a live show, or dining at a sit-down restaurant. Experiences like these stimulate new ideas and help kids learn about themselves and the world around them.

  • College Visits

    Visiting colleges can be overwhelming and expensive for students and parents. The EdOpFund annual college tour field trips for high school students to a range of regional schools including community colleges, state schools, and private universities.

  • Student Grants

    The EdOp Fund funds student generated ideas for providing new learning experiences that benefit their community. The Fund has supported various student grants including media equipment for the Blue Bomber Weekly News show, composting supplies for the Environmental Club, and fabric for the Sewing Club!

  • Music Arts Experiences

    One of several musical performances a year elementary students attend to explore various types of music and dance.

  • Imagination Library Sign Up

    Working with the Clinton County literacy volunteers, we helped register Universal Pre-K students for the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library which is a book gifting program that mails free books to children.

  • Alternate Seating

    Remember when school seating was so uncomfortable and inflexible that they were literally bolted to the floor? Alternate seating options increase student focus and engagement. Alternative seats were purchased with EOF funds requested through a student-initiated grant.

  • Gizmos

    Gizmo is the world’s largest library of on-line interactive STEM case studies which provides students with virtual science labs that develop critical thinking while enhancing problem-solving skills. An Ed Op Fund Grant supplied science teachers in the middle/high school as well as teachers across the district with a versatile program that provides continued access to challenging science labs should student learning go remote.